ALCOAST 255/24 - JUN 2024 2023 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR

R 271433Z JUN 24   MID120001241968U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 255/24
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: 2023 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR
1. I am pleased to announce the selection of Auxiliarist Natalie
M. Bunting of Seventh District, Flotilla 39 in Dania Beach, Florida
as the 2023 Auxiliarist of the Year.
2. Auxiliarist Bunting has served with pride in the Coast Guard
Auxiliary since December 2013. Throughout 2023, Auxiliarist Bunting
led several projects that effectively increased diversity,
inclusion, and membership in her flotilla. Auxiliarist Bunting
skillfully coordinated public affairs events at large-scale events
that promoted achievements contributed by underrepresented groups
to the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. These engaging presentations
directly led to a 20 percent increase in flotilla membership and
laudably promoted the successes that minorities have provided to
our service.
3. A consummate shipmate, Auxiliarist Bunting worked closely with
key community stakeholders to build new relationships and strengthen
existing ones. She partnered with local schools, yacht clubs,
government agencies, and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps to conduct many
public education classes advertised by flyers and social media that
she created. She also established a solid working relationship with
local sporting goods company management that enabled the flotilla
to use new facilities for its meetings and boating safety courses.
She also led beach cleanup events that removed over 170 pounds of
trash accumulated along the shoreline.
4. Devoted to professional development and service, Auxiliarist
Bunting achieved qualifications as an Auxiliary Public Affairs
Specialist Level 3 and Auxiliary Instructor, performed over 1,600
hours of Auxiliary program support, and is nearing completion of
a watchstander qualification that will enable her to augment
Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. Her spirit of community
volunteerism extended well beyond Auxiliary service as exemplified
by her coordination and oversight of a valuable food drive that
benefited a local pantry dedicated to providing resources to
those in need.
5. I congratulate Auxiliarist Bunting's commitment to the
Coast Guard Auxiliary during her many years of membership, and
for her selection to receive this esteemed recognition. She will
be formally recognized as the 2023 Auxiliarist of the Year at the
Auxiliary National Conference in Orlando, FL on August 17, 2024.
6. I also commend Auxiliarists Paul Markovic of Ninth District
(Eastern Region), Flotilla 7-16 in North Cleveland, Ohio and
Lyle Amine of Fourteenth District, Flotilla 1-18 in Barbers Point,
Hawaii for selection as honorable mentions for this recognition.
7. POC: LT Christopher Booth, COMDT (CG-BSX-1), at
Christopher.W.Booth@uscg.mil.
8. RDML W. R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.